Day: January 10, 2022

Plantar warts, small growths that generally appear on the weight bearing areas of the foot, are very common. In fact, most people will have a plantar wart at some point in their lifetime. About 10% of teenagers have plantar warts, according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society.(1)

The following are indications of a plantar wart:

  • A small, fleshy, rough, grainy growth (lesion) on the bottom of your foot, usually the base of the toes and forefoot or the heel;
  • Hard, thickened skin (callus) over a well-defined “spot” on the skin, where a wart has grown inward;
  • Black pinpoints, which are commonly called wart seeds but are actually small, clotted blood vessels;
  • A lesion that interrupts the normal lines and ridges in the skin of your foot;
  • Pain or tenderness when walking or standing.(2)

While harmless, plantar warts can be painful. Standing on them makes them grow up into the skin, which may feel like a stone in one’s shoe. There are different modes of treatment, including salicylic acid delivered in a solution or on a patch, and cryosurgery.(1)

In cryosurgery, a cryogenic gas is applied to the skin which freezes the lesion. “Cutaneous cryosurgery has become a commonly performed outpatient procedure because of the combination of its safety, effectiveness, low cost, ease of use, lack of need for injectable anesthetic and good cosmetic results.”(3)

Hydrozid® is an FDA cleared portable cryosurgery device, designed for primary care physicians, pediatricians, dermatologists, and podiatrists, for the treatment of plantar warts, skin tags, age spots, and a number of additional benign and premalignant skin conditions. Qualified providers, visit to set up an account and order.

(1) American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/toes/plantar-warts

(2) Mayo Clinic, Plantar Warts, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-warts/

(3) Clebak, K. MD, Mendez-Miller, M. DO, Croad, J. DO, American Family Physician, Cutaneous Cryosurgery for Common Skin Conditions, https://www.aafp.org/

Actinic keratosis (AK) is the most common precancer that forms on skin damaged by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The lesions often appear on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, lips, ears, shoulders, neck, and back. Generally, lesions appear as small, scaly patches of skin. They can be red, light or dark tan, pink, flesh-toned, or a combination of colors.(1)

Though only 5-10% of AKs turn into skin cancer, the majority of squamous cell skin cancers (which can be invasive) start out as AKs, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Having AKs raises a person’s lifetime risk of skin cancer.(1)

While anyone can develop actinic keratosis, people at increased risk include those who have one or more of the following characteristics:

  • Have red or blond hair and blue or light-colored eyes;
  • Have a history of a lot of sun exposure or sunburn;
  • Tend to freckle or burn when exposed to sunlight;
  • Are older than 40;
  • Live in a sunny place;
  • Work outdoors;
  • Have a weakened immune system.(2)

Treatment can prevent AKs from progressing to skin cancer, and can relieve common symptoms, such as itching or tenderness. The Skin Cancer Foundation states early treatment is particularly important for AKs on the head or neck, where skin cancers can be more aggressive.(3)

Cryosurgery is the most common treatment for AKs. For this treatment, the lesions are removed by freezing. The freezing causes blistering or peeling, and the damaged cells slough off, allowing new skin to appear. This treatment is done in a doctor’s office.(2)

Hydrozid® is an FDA cleared portable cryosurgery device, designed for primary care physicians, pediatricians, dermatologists, and podiatrists, for the treatment of actinic keratosis, skin tags, warts, and a number of additional nonmalignant skin conditions. Qualified providers, visit to set up an account and order.

(1) Goldberg, L. MD, Lebwhol M. MD, reviewers, Skin Cancer Foundation, Actinic Keratosis Overview, https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/actinic-keratosis/

(2) Mayo Clinic, Actinic Keratosis, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/actinic-keratosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354969

(3) American Academy Of Dermatology, 5 Facts You Should Know About Cancerous Skin Growths, https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/actinic-keratosis-facts-about-precancerous-skin-growths

Skin tags (or acrochordon) are small, noncancerous growths that are very common, with about half of all adults having at least one in their lifetime. While most skin tags are between 1-5mm, they can grow as large as a few centimeters. They are harmless and do not affect health, yet they can be unsightly and for that reason, many people with skin tags seek to have them removed.(1)

Skin tags are made up of many components, such as collagen fibers, fat, and sometimes nerve cells and tiny blood vessels. They are frequently found in areas of friction on the body, such as skin folds, neck, underarms or eyelids.(2)

There are different methods to remove skin tags, including electrocautery, in which an electric probe is used to burn off the skin tag. Excision, with scissors or scalpel, is another option. A commonly used method is cryosurgery, in which the skin tag is frozen off with a cryogenic gas.(2)

Since cryosurgery only targets the skin tag, little or no damage is done to the surrounding tissue. “Cryosurgery is a good choice for patients with medical conditions that my complicate more invasive surgical methods or have a history of bleeding problems,” states the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The minimally invasive procedure has few side effects and offers a quick recovery time.(3)

Hydrozid® is an FDA cleared portable cryosurgery device, designed for primary care physicians, pediatricians, dermatologists, and podiatrists, for the treatment of skin tags, warts, and a number of additional benign and premalignant skin conditions. Qualified providers, visit to set up an account and order.

(1) Cleveland Clinic, Skin Tags (Acrochordons), https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21528-skin-tags-acrochordons

(2) Liu, K. MD, MHS, Harvard Health Publishing, Skin Tag Removal: Optional but Effective, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/skin-tag-removal-optional-but-effective-2020032319079

(3) American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Cryosurgery for Skin Conditions, https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/cryosurgery/cryosurgery-for-skin-growths